Polyurethane SRIM compositions having internal mold release properties

ABSTRACT

The invention provides polyurethane components and compositions capable of providing internal mold release properties in SRIM applications. The polyol composition of the invention has an isocyanate reactive polyol (A) having a number average molecular weight from 100 to about 10,000 and an effective amount of internal mold release composition (B) having a silicon-containing polymer (a) and an epoxidized ester (b). The invention further provides an SRIM polyurethane composition useful in the preparation of molded polyurethane articles having internal mold release properties, the composition comprising an isocyanate component (I) and the isocyanate reactive polyol composition (component (II)) disclosed above. In another aspect of the invention, the invention provides methods of using the claimed compositions as well as the rigid cellular polyurethane SRIM articles resulting from such processes.

This is a division in part of application Ser. No. 08/303,995, filed Sep. 9, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,547,608.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to molded, cellular, polyurethane articles having internal mold release capabilities, compositions for use in the preparation of such articles, and methods of making such articles. More particularly, the invention relates to rigid, cellular molded polyurethane articles produced by structural reaction injection molding (SRIM) processes. The molded articles of the invention may be characterized as having densities ranging from 15 to 40 pcf. Most particularly, the invention relates to rigid, cellular polyurethane SRIM articles having fiberglass reinforcement therein, the articles having internal mold release capabilities.

Molded cellular and noncellular polyurethane articles have found many applications in the automotive and building industries. Illustrative automotive applications include the use of such articles as consoles, door panels, pillars and seat backs. Examples of non-automotive uses include modular housing and shower supports and doors. Although many polyurethane molded parts are produced by reaction injection molding processes (RIM), it has been found that the use of woven or non-woven fiber reinforcements can provide parts with greater tensile strength and flex modules. Such molding processes are known as structural reaction injection molding (SRIM).

SRIM processes may be generally described as the pouring or injecting of a liquid foam composition into a closed or open mold which, if open, is subsequently closed during the foaming reaction. Prior to the pouring in of the liquid foam composition, reinforcing fiberglass mats and/or other suitable plastic reinforcing parts are placed in the open mold. In some cases, a cosmetic facing or cover stock material will initially be laid in the open mold prior to the placement of the reinforcing materials and/or liquid foaming composition. When such cover stock materials are used, and the liquid foam composition is subsequently poured into the partially filled mold, the process is known as a back filling or pour-behind SRIM process.

Although SRIM molders are faced with problems unique to their particular processes, they are also faced with the problems attendant to any traditional polyurethane molding process. In any molding operation, efficiency and cost considerations mandate that the length of time required to make each part be minimized as much as possible. As a result, it is highly desirable that each part be removed from the mold as rapidly and as easily as possible.

However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that molded polyurethane parts often resist release from the mold. Traditionally, external mold release (EMR) agents have been sprayed onto the mold surface each time a new part is to be molded. The use of such EMR agents is highly disadvantageous for two reasons. First, the use of the EMR agents adds significantly to the per part cost. Factors such as the cost of the EMR agent per application, the cost of the labor or equipment required to apply the EMR agent, and the cost of the time during which the mold is open but is nonfunctioning, must all be included when evaluating the additional cost per part resulting from the use of EMR agents. Second, the EMR agents often include volatile components which results in a need for air cleaning and/or ventilation equipment. Fans, blowers, and protective gear all represent a significant capital investment.

As a result, polyurethane molders have long desired internal mold release (IMR) agents which are mixed with one or more of the polyurethane components and are thus present during each molding cycle. Such internal mold release agents are intended to appear at the interface between the mold wall cavity and the reacting ingredients to effect sufficient non-adherence between the two so that release and removal of the molded article can be easily accomplished.

Examples of previous prior art attempts to provide IMR agents are disclosed in several U.S. patents. Illustrative is U.S. Pat. No. 5,283,311, which discloses fatty prepolymers and fatty modified organic polyisocyanates as internal mold release agents useful in RIM processes.

GB 2,101,140A discloses an internal mold release agent comprising the reaction product of heating a metal salt such a zinc stearate with an epoxidized vegetable oil such as epoxidized soybean oil.

U.S Pat. No. 5,244,931, commonly assigned to BASF Corporation, discloses that when epoxidized 2-ethylhexyltallate is used in conjunction with a cell opening mixture of a particular dibasic acid ester claimed therein, the resulting articles have improved mold release characteristics. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,052,495 and 4,457,887, assigned to Dow Corning Corporation, respectively disclose siloxane-polyoxyalkylene copolymers and silicones intended for use as internal mold release agents in the molding of polyurethanes articles.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,498,929, 4,546,145, 4,504,314, and 4,477,366, assigned to ICI, disclose internal mold release agents incorporating particular polysiloxane compounds.

However, very few prior art attempts at providing internal mold release agents have been successfully directed towards SRIM applications. The process of molding SRIM articles provides unique challenges to the successful incorporation of IMR agents. The use of the IMR agents must not interfere with or detract from the internal adhesion of the polyurethane composition to internal components like the fiberglass mat and/or polymer based structural reinforcing elements. Likewise, the IMR agent on the exterior surface of the finished SRIM article must not interfere with adhesion between the article and external components like cover stocks used in a pour-behind SRIM applications. Finally, the use of the IMR agents must not interfere with the flow characteristics or reactivity profile of the polyurethane composition. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the polyurethane compositions used in SRIM applications must exhibit superior flowability and generally low viscosity in order to accommodate the presence of the reinforcing materials.

In addition to the performance requirements of the finished SRIM article, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it would be highly desirable to achieve polyol compositions capable of providing internal mold release properties which do not exhibit separation behavior upon standing. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that IMR agents often exhibit separation behavior when combined in either the polyol component or the isocyanate component of a polyurethane composition. Such separation behavior represents special processing challenges and often requires the use of costly processing and/or mixing equipment.

It is thus an object of the invention to provide an internal mold release agent which is capable of use in SRIM compositions and applications and which reduces the need to apply EMR agents.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a polyol composition having an internal mold release agent therein which does not exhibit separation behavior and which, when used in SRIM applications, provides rigid, cellular polyurethane articles exhibiting good adhesion to both internal and external components.

It is a further object of the instant invention to provide a foam composition for the preparation of molded polyurethane articles having internal mold release properties, wherein the polyol component of the composition exhibits little or no separation behavior and the composition results in rigid, cellular polyurethane articles exhibiting good adhesion to both internal and external component elements.

Finally, it is an object of the invention to provide improved methods of making SRIM articles, wherein the articles have internal mold release properties and the need to apply EMR agents is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These objects and more are satisfied with the compositions of the invention. The internal mold release composition and the polyol composition of the invention are capable of providing internal mold release properties to an SRIM polyurethane system and reducing the need for EMR agents. The polyol composition of the invention requires an isocyanate reactive polyol (A) having a molecular weight from 100 to about 10,000 and an effective amount of an internal mold release composition (B) having a silicon containing polymer (a) and an epoxidized ester (b).

The invention further provides a composition useful in the preparation of molded polyurethane articles having internal mold release properties, the composition comprising an isocyanate component (I), and an isocyanate reactive polyol component (II) requiring an isocyanate reactive polyol (A) having a molecular weight from 100 to about 10,000 and an effective amount of an internal mold release composition (B) requiring a silicon containing polymer (a) and an epoxidized ester (b).

It has been found that use of the polyol component and polyurethane composition as disclosed herein provides several advantages. Significant improvements in productivity and a decrease in overall cycle time have been realized. More particularly, demold times of SRIM articles have been realized which are less than one minute and in some cases less than 50 seconds. In addition, it has been found that little or greatly reduced amounts of external mold release agent are required. Finally, molds appear to be easier to clean when the compositions of the invention are used.

The invention also provides methods of utilizing the disclosed polyol and polyurethane compositions as well as the articles produced by such methods.

In particular, the invention provides a process of making a molded polyurethane article having internal mold release properties, the method requiring the providing of a mold; placing in the mold, a composition comprising an isocyanate component (I) and an isocyanate reactive polyol component (II), component (II) requiring an isocyanate reactive polyol (A) having a molecular weight from 100 to about 10,000, as well as an effective amount of an internal mold release composition (B), composition (B) having silicon-containing polymer (a) and an epoxidized ester (b); and allowing the composition to react within the mold for a time sufficient to produce a molded polyurethane article having internal mold release properties.

Finally, the invention provides a method a making a composite molded article, the method requiring placing a cover stock within a composite article mold; subsequently placing within the composite article mold a molded polyurethane SRIM article having internal mold release properties, the SRIM article being produced by a process requiring providing an SRIM article mold, placing in the SRIM article mold, an SRIM composition having an isocyanate component (I), and an isocyanate reactive polyol component (II), component (I) having an isocyanate reactive polyol (A) and an effective amount of an internal mold release composition (B), composition (B) having a silicon-containing polymer (a) and an epoxidized ester (b), allowing the composition to react within the SRIM article mold for a time sufficient to produce a molded polyurethane SRIM article having internal mold release properties, and removing the article from the SRIM article mold; providing within the composite article mold, a polyurethane foam composition; and allowing the polyurethane foam composition to react within the composite article mold for a time sufficient to produce a composite molded article.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The polyurethane composition of the invention requires an isocyanate component (I) and an isocyanate reactive polyol component (II). Isocyanate reactive polyol component (II) must, at a minimum, have an isocyanate reactive polyol (A) having a molecular weight from 100 to about 10,000 and an effective amount of internal mold release composition (B).

Internal mold release composition (B) requires a silicon-containing polymer (a) and an epoxidized ester (b). It has been found that the combination of components (a) and (b) exhibits synergism and provides unexpected advantageous internal mold release properties to SRIM articles and molding processes.

The silicon-containing polymer will generally be a silicone, i.e. a polymer containing the moiety, --Si(R₂)O--. The silicon-containing polymer (a) preferably utilized in the invention contains two or more secondary hydroxyl groups, and preferably an average of three hydroxyl groups per silicon-containing polymer molecule. In a particularly preferred aspect of the invention, the silicon-containing polymer is a dimethylsiloxane compound which is represented by the following generic formula: ##STR1## wherein each of R are independently an alkyl radical having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; an alicyclic, an aryl, an alkaryl or an aralkyl having 1 to 25 carbon atoms in the alkyl group; an aliphatic ether group; or a polyester group; and wherein a secondary hydroxyl functional group is substituted onto at least two, preferably onto each of the R groups;

each of A are independently one or more silicon atoms containing alkyl, alicyclic, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkyloxy, alkaryl, aralkyl, or arylalkoxy have a 1 to 25 carbon atoms in each aliphatic portion; an organosiloxane; hydrogen; or an alkyl having 1 to 25 carbon atoms;

n is an integer from 1 to 10; and

the sum of w+x+y+z totals an integer which would correspond to an average hydroxyl equivalent weight ranging from 200 to 4,000.

Preferably, each of R are independently an alkyl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkoxy, or an ether having the formula: ##STR2## and preferably A is hydrogen, a C₁ -C₄ alkyl, or a siloxane having the formula: ##STR3## wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6, and w+x+y+z totals an integer corresponding to an average hydroxyl equivalent weight of the molecule ranging from 1,250 to 3,000.

In the most preferred embodiment of the invention, the silicon-containing polymer (a) used in the invention will be Dow Corning®¹ 1248 fluid, sold by Air Products of Allentown, Pa. or any commercially available equivalent. A commercially available equivalent is believed to be DABCO®² DC5000. The 1248 fluid has an average of 3 hydroxyl sites per molecule and an average hydroxyl equivalent weight of about 1,725 to 2,225, and most likely about 2,000. It is believed that this fluid corresponds with the formula: ##STR4## wherein each n is independently an integer ranging from 1 to 4, and w+x+y+z is about 70, or corresponds to average hydroxyl equivalent weight of a molecule of about 2,000. The methods of manufacture of such silicon-containing polymers is generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,130,708, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Epoxidized ester (b) will generally be an epoxidized alkyl fatty acid ester. In general, suitable compounds will have a minimum weight percent total epoxide of 4.4 percent, a maximum acid number (mg KOH/g) of 1.0, and a maximum total unsaturation (weight percent iodine) of 4.0. A preferred epoxidized ester will have a total weight percent epoxide of between about 4.6 to 5.3, an acid number between about 0.3 and 0.8, and a total unsaturation between about 1.0 and 3.0. Most preferably, the epoxidized ester (b) will have a weight percent total epoxide between 4.9 and 5.1, an acid number between 0.5 and 0.60, and a total unsaturation (weight percent iodine) between 1.0 and 2.5.

Examples of suitable epoxidized alkyl fatty acid esters are epoxidized propylene glycol dioleate and epoxidized 2-ethylhexyltallate or epoxidized octyltallate ester. Suitable commercially available materials are FLEXOL®³ Plasticizer EP-8, available from Union Carbide Chemicals and Plastics Company, Inc. of Danbury, Conn.; DRAPLEX®⁴ 4.4, available from Witco Corporation of Hahnville, La.; and PLASTOLEIN®⁵ 9214 or PLASTOLEIN® 9213, available from the Henkel Corporation of Gulph Mills, Pa.

It has been found that the most suitable epoxidized ester (b) for use in the compositions of the invention is epoxidized-2-ethylhexyltalate, commercially available as PLASTOLEIN® 9214. The characteristics of the most preferred epoxidized-2-ethylhexyltallate will be a total epoxide weight percent of about 5.0, an acid number of about 0.55 and a total unsaturation (weight percent iodine) of about 1.80 to 1.90.

As indicated above, it has unexpectedly been found that the combination of (a) and (b) provides unexpectedly advantageous internal mold release properties. As a result, at a minimum, the internal mold release composition (B) will have from 1 to 99 parts by weight of the silicon-containing polymer (a) and from 99 to 1 parts by weight of the epoxidized ester (b), all parts by weight being based on the total weight of the internal mold release composition (B).

More particularly, it has been found that good internal mold release properties are obtained when the IMR composition (B) contains from 1 to 50 parts by weight of the silicon-containing polymer (a), and from 50 to 99 parts by weight of the epoxidized ester (b).

Optimum internal mold release properties have been achieved where the internal mold release composition (B) contains from 1 to 15 parts by weight of the silicon-containing polymer (a) and from 85 to 99 parts by weight of epoxidized ester (b).

In general, the polyol composition (II) of the invention (also known as the resin side or polyol component) should contain from about 10 to 60 weight percent of the internal mold release composition (B) based on the total weight of the polyol composition. That is, out of 100 pounds of a polyol composition, comprised of a mixture of isocyanate-reactive polyol (A) and internal mold release composition (B), from 10 to 60 pounds should be IMR composition (B) while from 90 to 40 pounds is isocyanate-reactive polyol (A). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that increasing amounts of the internal mold release composition (B) will provide the best release properties while increasing amounts of the isocyanate reactive polyol (A) will generally provide the best overall performance properties in the finished molded polyurethane SRIM articles.

It has been found that ideally, the internal mold release composition (B) will be present in a weight ratio of approximately 1 parts IMR agent (B) to 2 parts polyol (A). That is, in a total of 99 parts by weight of the polyol composition of the invention (i.e. polyol component (II)), 33 parts by weight will be internal mold release composition (B), while 66 pounds are comprised of isocyanate reactive polyol (A).

Examples of suitable isocyanate reactive polyols (A) are compounds having at least two isocyanate reactive hydrogens which are intended to be employed in the preparation of polyurethane foams and elastomers. Such compounds are often prepared by the catalytic condensation of an alkylene oxide or mixture of alkylene oxides either simultaneously or sequentially with an organic compound having at least two active hydrogen atoms, such as evidenced by U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,922,459; 3,190,927; and 3,346,557. Representative polyols include polyhydroxyl-containing polyesters and polycarbonates, polyoxyalkylene polyether polyols such as the aforementioned polyoxyalkylene polyether polyols, polyhydroxy-terminated polyurethane polymers, polyhydroxyl-containing phosphorous compounds, and alkylene oxide adducts of polyhydric polythioesters, polyacetals, aliphatic polyols and thiols, ammonia, and amines including aromatic, aliphatic, and heterocyclic amines, as well as mixtures thereof. Alkylene oxide adducts of compounds which contain two or more different groups within the above-defined classes may also be used, for example, amino alcohols which contain an amino group and a hydroxyl group. Also, alkylene oxide adducts of compounds which contain one SH group and one OH group as well as those which contain an amino groups and an SH group may be used. Generally, the number average molecular weight of the polyols will vary from greater than 400 to 10,000. It has been found, however, that nitrogen containing molecules, particularly those with amino groups, are preferred initiators.

Suitable hydroxy-terminated polyester may be used such as those prepared, for example, from polycarboxylic acids and polyhydric alcohols. Any suitable polycarboxylic acid may be used such as oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, brassylic acid, thapsic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, glutaconic acid, α-hydromuconic acid, β-hydromuconic acid, α-butyl-α-ethyl-glutaric acid, α,β-diethylsuccinic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, hemimellitic acid, and 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid. Any suitable polyhydric alcohol, including both aliphatic and aromatic, may be used such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, trimethylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,2-pentanediol, 1,4-pentanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,7-heptanediol, glycerol, 1,1,1-trimethylolpropane, 1,1,1-trimethylolethane, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, α-methyl glucoside, pentaerythritol, and sorbitol. Also included within the term "polyhydric alcohols" are compounds derived from phenol such as 2,2-bis(4-hydroxylphenyl)propane, commonly known as Bisphenol A.

The hydroxyl-containing polyester may also be a polyester amide such as is obtained by including some amine or amino alcohol in the reactants for the preparation of the polyesters. Thus, polyester amides may be obtained by condensing an amino alcohol such as ethanolamine with the polycarboxylic acids set forth above or they may be made using the same components that make up the hydroxyl-containing polyester with only a portion of the components being a diamine such as ethylene diamine.

Any suitable polyoxyalkylene polyether polyol may be used such as the polymerization product of an alkylene oxide or a mixture of alkylene oxides with a polyhydric alcohol. Any suitable polyhydric alcohol may be used such as those disclosed above for use in the preparation of the hydroxy-terminated polyesters. Suitable initiators include both aliphatics and aromatics, such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, trimethylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,2-pentanediol, 1,4-pentanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,7-heptanediol, glycerol, 1,1,1-trimethylolpropane, 1,1,1-trimethylolethane, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, α-methyl glucoside, pentaerythritol, and sorbitol. Any suitable alkylene oxide may be used such as those disclosed above for preparing the prepolymers. Examples of alkylene oxides include ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, amylene oxide, mixtures thereof, tetrahydrofuran, alkylene oxide-tetrahydrofuran mixtures, epihalohydrins, and aralkylene oxides such as styrene oxide. Polyethers which are particularly suitable include the alkylene oxide addition products of trimethylolpropane, glycerine, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol; sucrose and blends thereof having number average molecular weights of from 100 to 5,000.

Suitable polyhydric polythioethers which may be condensed with alkylene oxides include the condensation product of thiodiglycol or the reaction product of a dicarboxylic acid such as is disclosed above for the preparation of the hydroxyl-containing polyesters with any other suitable thioether glycol.

Polyhydroxyl-containing phosphorous compounds which may be used include those compounds disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,639,542. Preferred polyhydroxyl-containing phosphorous compounds are prepared from alkylene oxides and acids of phosphorous having an acid equivalency of from about 72 percent to about 95 percent.

Suitable polyacetals which may be condensed with alkylene oxides include the reaction product of formaldehyde or other suitable aldehyde with a dihydric alcohol or an alkylene oxide such as those disclosed above.

Suitable aliphatic thiols which may be condensed with alkylene oxides include alkanethiols containing at least two --SH groups such as 1,2-ethanedithiol, 1,2-propanedithiol, 1,3-propanedithiol, and 1,6-hexanedithiol; alkene thiols such as 2-butene-1,4-dithiol; and alkyne thiols such as 3-hexyne-1,6-dithiol.

As indicated above, polyols having initiator molecules containing nitrogen are particularly suitable for use in the invention. Particularly preferred for use in the invention are the polyethers resulting from the condensation of amines with alkylene oxides. Suitable amines which may be condensed with alkylene oxides include aromatic amines such as aniline, o-chloroaniline, p-aminoaniline, 1,5-diaminonaphthalene, methylene dianiline, the condensation products of aniline and formaldehyde, and 2,3-, 2,6-, 3,4-, 2,5-, and 2,4-diaminotoluene (TDA) and mixtures of the isomers; and aliphatic amines such as methylamine, triisopropanolamine, ethylenediamine, 1,3-diaminopropane, 1,3-diaminobutane, and 1,4-diaminobutane. Polyethers having aromatic amines as initiator molecules are most preferred.

Polyols containing ester groups can also be employed in the subject invention. These polyols are prepared by the reaction of an alkylene oxide with an organic dicarboxylic acid anhydride and a compound containing reactive hydrogen atoms. A more comprehensive discussion of these polyols and their method of preparation can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,585,185; 3,639,541 and 3,639,542.

Polyols containing graft polymer dispersions may also be employed in the invention. These are prepared by the in situ polymerization, in the polyols listed below, of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer or a mixture of ethylenically unsaturated monomers. Representative ethylenically unsaturated monomers which may be employed in the present invention include butadiene, isoprene, 1,4-pentadiene, 1,6-hexadiene, 1,7-octadiene, styrene, α-methylstyrene, 2-methylstyrene, 3-methylstyrene and 4-methylstyrene, 2,4-dimethylstyrene, ethylstyrene, isopropylstyrene, butylstyrene, phenylstyrene, cyclohexylstyrene, benzylstyrene, and the like; substitute styrenes such as cyanostyrene, nitrostyrene, N,N-dimethylaminostyrene, acetoxystyrene, methyl 4-vinylbenzoate, phenoxystyrene, p-vinylphenyl oxide, and the like; the acrylic and substituted acrylic monomers such as acrylonitrile, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, methyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, cyclohexyl methacrylate, benzyl methacrylate, isopropyl methacrylate, octyl methacrylate, methacrylonitrile, ethyl α-ethoxyacrylate, methyl α-acetaminoacrylate, butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, phenyl acrylate, phenyl methacrylate, N,N-dimethylacrylamide, N,N-dibenzylacrylamide, N-butylacrylamide, methacrylyl formamide, and the like; the vinyl esters, vinyl ethers, vinyl ketones, etc., such as vinyl acetate, vinyl butyrate, isopropenyl acetate, vinyl formate, vinyl acrylate, vinyl methacrylate, vinyl methoxyacetate, vinyl benzoate, vinyltoluene, vinylnaphthalene, vinyl methyl ether, vinyl ethyl ether, vinyl propyl ethers, vinyl butyl ethers, vinyl 2-ethylhexyl ether, vinyl phenyl ether, vinyl 2 methoxyethyl ether, methoxybutadiene, vinyl 2-butoxyethyl ether, 3,4-dihydro-1,2-pyran, 2-butoxy-2'-vinyloxy diethyl ether, vinyl methyl ketone, vinyl ethyl ketone, vinyl phosphonates such as vinyl phenyl ketone, vinyl ethyl sulfone, N-methyl-N-vinyl acetamide, N-vinyl-pyrrolidone, vinyl imidazole, divinyl sulfoxide, divinyl sulfone, sodium vinylsulfonate, methyl vinylsulfonate, N-vinyl pyrrole, and the like; dimethyl fumarate, dimethyl maleate, maleic acid, crotonic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, monomethyl itaconate, t-butylaminoethyl methacrylate, dimehtylaminoethyl methacrylate, glycidyl acrylate, allyl alcohol, glycol monoesters of itaconic acid, vinyl pyridine, and the like. Any of the known polymerizable monomers can be used and the compounds listed above are illustrative and not restrictive of the monomers suitable for use in this invention. Preferably, the monomer is selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile, styrene and mixtures thereof.

The amount of ethylenically unsaturated monomer employed in the polymerization reaction is generally from 25 percent to 70 percent, preferably from 30 percent to 45 percent, based on the total weight of the product. The polymerization occurs at a temperature between about 25° C. and 180° C., preferably from 80° C. to 135° C.

The unsaturated polyols or macromers which may be employed in preparing the graft polymer dispersion may be prepared by the reaction of any conventional polyol such as those described above with an organic compound having both ethylenic unsaturation and a hydroxyl, carboxyl, anhydride, isocyanate or epoxy group or they may be prepared by employing an organic compound having both ethylenic unsaturation and a hydroxyl, carboxyl, anhydride, or epoxy group as a reactant in the preparation of the conventional polyol. Representative of such organic compounds include unsaturated mono- and polycarboxylic acids and anhydrides such as maleic acid and anhydride, fumaric acid, crotonic acid and anhydride, propenyl succinic anhydride, acrylic acid, acryloyl chloride, hydroxy ethyl acrylate or methacrylate and halogenated maleic acids and anhydrides, unsaturated polyhydric alcohols such as 2-butene-1,4-diol, glycerol allyl ether, trimethylolpropane allyl ether, pentaerythritol allyl ether, pentaerythritol vinyl ether, pentaerythritol diallyl ether, pentaerythritol vinyl ether, pentaerythritol diallyl ether, and 1-butene-3,4-diol, unsaturated epoxides such as 1-vinyl-cyclohexene-3,4-epoxide, butadiene monoxide, vinyl glycidyl ether(1-vinyloxy-2,3-epoxy propane), glycidyl methacrylate and 3-allyloxypropylene oxide (allyl glycidyl ether).

Illustrative polymerization initiators which may be employed are the well-known free radical types of vinyl polymerization initiators such as the peroxides, persulfates, perborates, percarbonates, azo compounds, etc. These include hydrogen peroxide, dibenzoyl peroxide, acetyl peroxide, benzoyl hydroperoxide, t-butyl hydroperoxide, di-t-butyl peroxide, lauroyl peroxide, butyryl peroxide, diisopropylbenzene hydroperoxide, cumene hydroperoxide, paramenthane hydroperoxide, diacetyl peroxide, di-α-cumyl peroxide, dipropyl peroxide, diisopropyl peroxide, isopropyl-t-butyl peroxide, butyl-t-butyl peroxide, difuroyl peroxide, bis(triphenylmethyl) peroxide, bis(p-methoxybenzoyl) peroxide, p-monomethoxybenzoyl peroxide, rubene peroxide, ascaridol, t-butyl peroxybenzoate, diethyl peroxyterephthalate, propyl hydroperoxide, isopropyl hydroperoxide, n-butyl hydroperoxide, t-butyl hydroperoxide, cyclohexyl hydroperoxide, trans-decalin hydroperoxide, α-methylbenzyl hydroperoxide, α-methyl-α-ethyl benzyl hydroperoxide, tetralin hydroperoxide, triphenylmethyl hydroperoxide, diphenylmethyl hydroperoxide, α,α'-azobis- (2-methyl heptonitrile), 1,1'-azobis(cyclohexane carbonitrile), 4,4'-azobis (4-cyanopentanoic acid), 2,2'-azobis (isobutyronitrile), 1-t-butylazo-1-cyanocyclohexane, persuccinic acid, diisopropyl peroxy dicarbonate, 2,2'-azobis (2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile), 2-t-butylazo-2-cyano-4-methoxy-4-methylpentane, 2,2'-azobis-2-methylbutanenitrile, 2-t-butylazo-2-cyanobutane, 1-t-amylazo-1-cyanocyclohexane, 2,2'-azobis(2,4-dimethyl-4-methoxyvalernitrile, 2,2'-azobis-2-methylbutyronitrile, 2-t-butylazo-2-cyano-4-methylpentane, 2-t-butylazo-2-isocutyronitrile, to butylperoxyisopropyl carbonate and the like; a mixture of initiators may also be used. The preferred initiators are 2,2'-azobis(2-methylbutyronitrile), 2,2'-azobis(isobutyronitrile), 2,2'-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile), 2-t-butylazo-2-cyano-4-methoxy-4-methylpentane, 2-t-butylazo-2-cyano-4-methylpentane, 2-t-butylazo-2-cyano-butane and lauroyl peroxide. Generally, from about 0.1 percent to about 10 percent, preferably from about 1 percent to about 4 percent, by weight of initiator based on the weight of the monomer will be employed in the process of the invention.

However, while many of the above described polyols are suitable for use in the invention, it has been found that certain polyols are particularly preferred. It has been unexpectedly discovered that problems of nonhomogeneity, or separation behavior, are largely eliminated when the isocyanate reactive polyol comprises at least one polyoxyalkylene polyether which has as an initiator molecule, an amine substituted aromatic molecule. Preferred examples are aniline, o-chloroaniline, p-aminoaniline, 1,5-diaminonaphthalene, methylene dianiline, the condensation products of aniline and formaldehyde, and 2,3-, 2,6-, 3,4-, 2,5-, and 2,4-diaminotoluene (TDA). The most preferred type of aromatic polyamine initiator is diaminotoluene having vicinal amino groups, i.e., 2,3- or 2,6- diaminotoluene and mixtures thereof.

In addition, the most preferred polyoxyalkylene polyethers for use in the instant invention will be those which have been oxypropylated.

Thus, the preferred polyol for use in the instant invention will be an oxyproplyated TDA polyether. The most preferred such polyols will generally have a relatively low molecular weight, i.e. below 1,000 and a hydroxyl number of generally less than 600. An example of a most preferred commercially available polyol is PLURACOL® Polyol 736 from BASF Corporation of Wyandotte, Mich.

While not wishing to be bound to a particular mechanism, it is believed that the structure of the oxypropylated aromatic polyamine polyether is responsible for the observed lack of separation in the novel polyol composition of the invention.

The polyol side or composition (II) of the invention may further contain additional components such blowing agents, catalysts, chain extending agents, surface active agents, adhesion promoters, stabilizers, dyes, fillers, pigments and/or mixtures thereof.

For example, a particularly preferred blowing agent is water, preferably 0.5 to 10 percent by weight, and more particularly, 1 to 5 weight percent of water based on the weight of the polyol (A). Alternatively, instead of water alone, mixtures of water and chemically inert, low boiling hydrocarbons or halogenated hydrocarbons can also be used as foaming agents. Suitable hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons will be those having boiling points below 50° C., preferably between 50° C. and 30° C. at atmospheric pressure. Illustrative examples are halogenated hydrocarbons such as monochlorodifloromethane, dichloromonofloromethane, dichlorofloromethane, and trichlorofloromethane and are mixtures, as well has hydrocarbons such propane, N-butane, and isobutane, as well as dimethylether and cyclopentane.

The required quantities of blowing agent mixture can be determined experimentally in a very simple matter as a function of the mixing ratio of water to hydrocarbon blowing agents as well as the desired densities of the foam. Suitable amounts generally range from approximately 2 to 40, preferably 5 to 25 percent blowing agent based on the weight of the polyol.

Chain extending agents and/or crosslinking agents will also preferably be employed in the preparation of the molded polyurethane articles. Examples of suitable chain extenders and/or crosslinking include those compounds having at least two functional groups bearing active hydrogen atoms such as water, hydrazine, primary and secondary diamines, amino alcohols, amino acids, hydroxy acids, glycols, or mixtures thereof. Such agents will generally have a number average molecular weight of less than about 400. A preferred group of chain extending agents and/or crosslinking agents include water, ethylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, glycerine and mixtures thereof. The most preferred crosslinking agent is glycerine.

The use of catalysts is highly preferred. Examples of suitable amine-based catalysts which may be used include tertiary amines such as, for example, triethylenediamine, N-methylmorpholine, N-ethylmorpholine, diethylethanolamine, N-cocomorpholine, 1-methyl-4-dimethylaminoethylpiperazine, 3-methoxypropyldimethylamine, N,N,N'-trimethylisopropyl propylenediamine, 3-diethylaminopropyldiethylamine, dimethylbenzylamine, and the like. Other suitable catalysts are the metal-based catalysts, for example, stannous chloride, dibutyltin di-2-ethyl hexanoate, stannous oxide, as well as other organometallic compounds such as are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,846,408. Preferred catalysts however, are those commercially available amine catalysts such as DABCO® TMR-3, DABCO® BL-17, DABCO® X-8154, and DABCO® 33LV, all of which are commercially available from Air Products Corporation. A particularly suitable metal-based catalyst is dioctyltin dimercaptin commercially available as FOMREZ® UL-32 catalyst. The most preferred catalyst will be a mixture of amine- and metal-based catalysts.

Surfactants will also preferably be incorporated with the invention. A particularly preferred surfactant is L-550, a cell stabilizing surfactant, commercially available from Union Carbide. It is believed that the presence of this surfactant provides improved flow characteristics.

As indicated above, the IMR composition (B) will most preferably be part of the polyol component (II) of a polyurethane system. However, it is within the scope of the invention to have IMR composition (B) incorporated in the isocyanate component (I) of a polyurethane system. Alternatively, components (a) and (b) of IMR composition (B) could respectively be separately incorporated into polyol component (II) and isocyanate component. (I) In either case, the concentrations of (a) and (b) would be as given above.

The isocyanate reactive polyol component (II) of the invention is generally combined with an isocyanate component (I) to provide the polyurethane compositions of the invention. The polyurethane compositions of the invention are suitable for the preparation of molded SRIM polyurethane articles having internal mold release properties. Isocyanate components (I) suitable for use in accordance with the invention are organic isocyanates. The organic polyisocyanates employed in the instant invention correspond to the formula R'(NCO)z wherein R' is a polyvalent organic radical which is either aliphatic, arylalkyl, alkylaryl, aromatic or mixtures thereof and z is an integer which corresponds to the valence of R' and is at least 2. Representative of the types of organic polyisocyanates contemplated herein include, for example, 1,2-diisocyanatoethane, 1,3-diisocyanatopropane, 1,2-diisocyanatopropane, 1,4-diisocyanatobutane, 1,5-diisocyanatopentane, 1,6-dissocyanatohexane, bis(3-isocyanatopropyl)ether, bis(3-isocyanatopropyl)sulfide, 1,7-diisocyanatoheptane, 1,5-diisocyanato-2,2-dimethylpentane, 1,6-diisocyanate-3-methoxyhexane, 1,8-diisocyanatoctane, 1,5-diisocyanato-2,2,4-trimethylpentane, 1,9-diisocyanatononame, 1,10-diisocyanatopropyl ether of 1,4-butylene glycol, 1,11-diisocyanatoundecane, 1,12-diisocyanatododecane, bis(isocyanatohexyl)sulfide, ,4-diisocyanatobenze, 1,3-diisocyanato-o-xylene, 1,3-diisocyanato-p-xylene, 1,3-diisocyanato-m-xylene, 2,4-diisocyanto-1-chlorobenzene, 2,4-diisocyanato-1-nitro-benzene, 2,5-diisocyanato-1-nitrobenzene, m-phenylene diisocyanate, 2,4-toluene diisocyanate, 2,6-toluene diisocyanate, mixtures of 2,4- and 2,6-toluene diisocyanate, 16-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 1,4-tetramethylene diisocyanate, 1,4-cyclohexane diisocyanate, hexahydrotoluene diisocyanate, 1,5-naphthalene diisocyanate, 1-methoxy-2,4-phenylene diisocyanate, 4,4'-cyclohexane diisocyanate, hexahydrotoluene diisocyanate, 1,5-naphthalene diisocyanate, 1-methoxy-2,4-phenylene diisocyanate, 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, 4,4'-biphenylene diisocyanate, 3,3'-dimethyl-4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, 3,3'-dimethyl-4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate and 3,3'-dimethyldiphenylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate and 3,3'-dimethyldiphenylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate; the triisocyanates such as 4,4',4"-triphenylmethane triisocyanate polymethylene polyphenylene polyisocyanate and 2,4,6-toluene triisocyanate; and the tetraisocyanates such as 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-5,5'-diphenylmethane tetraisocyanate. Especially useful due to their availability and properties are toluene diisocyanate, 2,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, polymethylene polyphenylene polyisocyanate, and mixtures thereof. Polymeric MDI is a suitable and preferred isocyanate component within the scope of the present invention.

The polyisocyanates are prepared by conventional methods known in the art such as the phosgenation of the corresponding organic amine. Included within the useable isocyanates are the modifications of the above isocyanates which contain carbodiimide, allophonate or isocyanurate structures. Quasi-prepolymers may also be employed in the process of the subject invention. These quasi-prepolymers are prepared by reacting an excess of organic polyisocyanate or mixtures thereof with a minor amount of an active hydrogen-containing compound as determined by the well-known Zerewitinoff test as described by Kohler in Journal of the American Chemical Society, 49, 3181 (1927). These compounds and their methods of preparation are well known in the art. The use of any one specific active hydrogen compound is not critical hereto, rather any such compound can be employed herein. Generally, the quasi-prepolymers have a free isocyanate content of from 20 percent to 40 percent by weight.

The isocyanate component (I) and the polyol component (II) will generally be combined in an index of from 60 to 120, and preferably an index of from 80 to 110. The most preferred index for the polyurethane composition will be from 85 to 95.

The polyurethane composition of the invention maybe used with various reinforcement materials to produce SRIM articles in both conventional SRIM processes and pour behind processes.

As indicated above, conventional SRIM processes generally require the pouring of a liquid polyurethane composition into an open or closed mold, which, if open, is subsequently closed during the foaming reaction. Prior to the pouring in of the liquid foam composition, reinforcing materials and/or reinforcing parts are placed in the open mold. Reinforcement materials suitable for use in producing SRIM articles include a wide variety of materials.

Fiber reinforcements are preferred. Fiber materials may be woven, non-woven (random), or combinations thereof. Suitable fibers include synthetic fibers of nylon, polyester, aramide, polyether ketones, polyether sulfones, polyamides, silicon carbon, and the like; natural fibers such as cellulose, cotton, hemp, flaxes, and jute; and mineral or ceramic fibers including Wollastonite, aluminum, glass fibers, and carbon fibers. A unique non-glass material is Colback®⁷ spun bonded non-woven comprised of a biocomponent fiber having a polyester core and polyamide skin available from BASF Corporation, Fibers Division, Parsippany, N.J. Glass fiber, either woven or non-woven, is the preferred reinforcement material due to its low cost and physical properties.

One or more layers of fiber reinforcement may be used depending on the desired fiber weight. Up to 70 weight percent of the SRIM part may comprise reinforcement material. In general, the reinforcing material will laid directly into the mold and the liquid polyurethane foam composition poured thereon. However, alternatively or in addition thereto, chopped fibers and other fillers may be added to the isocyanate component of the system, the polyol component, or both, in amounts up to about 70 weight percent of the SRIM part.

However, SRIM processes wherein fiberglass mats are placed in the mold prior to the injection of the polyurethane composition are preferred.

In addition to the fiber reinforcing material, structural parts or elements comprised of wood, metal and/or plastic type materials known to those skilled in the art, may be laid in the mold either prior to or subsequent to the placing of the fiber reinforcement in the open mold. Metal and plastic elements are preferred. Examples of suitable plastic materials include ABS, nylon, acetyl, polypropylene, polyethylene, PVC and the like. In either case, the liquid polyurethane foam composition will generally be applied last, prior to the closing of the mold or the initiation of molding.

In traditional SRIM processes, after the molding of the SRIM article, the article will be trimmed. However, in some uses the molded SRIM article will be used as a component for a composite article. For example, a cover stock material may be laid into a open mold, followed by the molded SRIM article. A flexible or semi-flexible polyurethane foam is then injected into the mold containing the cover stock material and the molded SRIM article. The flexible or semi-flexible foam is allowed to react to bind the cover stock and the molded SRIM article into a single composite article.

Alternatively, composite articles can be made using back-filling or pour-behind processing techniques. For example, in a typical pour-behind process a cover stock material is laid into a foam. Such cover stocks may or may not have foam backing. Optionally, a second foam such as an energy absorbing foam may be placed in the top of the mold. Alternatively, reinforcing materials may be placed in the mold. The liquid polyurethane composition is subsequently poured onto the cover stock and molding initiated. In an open mold, molding will be initiated by closing the mold. The foam is allowed to react for a period of time sufficient for it to completely react and adhere to the cover stock material and any other component elements previously placed in the mold.

Examples of suitable cover stock materials are vinyl, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, cloth, polyurethane foams, including both rigid, flexible, semi-flexible and energy absorbing, and mixtures thereof. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that with respect to back-filling SRIM processes, cover stock materials are often referred to as `vinyl` whether or not they are comprised of polymeric ethylene. As used herein, the term vinyl is intended to encompass both the traditional chemical meaning, (i.e., polymeric ethylene) as well as the meaning typically given to those familiar with SRIM molding process.

The cover stock materials may be formed prior to their insertion into the composite article mold by vacuum forming. Alternatively, cover stock material may be formed of PVC which is been rotationally cast. As discussion of such processes may be found in the Polyurethane Handbook, G. Oretal, Section 5.4, pages 223-225 hereby incorporated by reference.

It will be appreciated that the presence of the various internal component elements requires that the internal mold release agent not interfere with adhesion of the SRIM article thereto.

The molded SRIM articles having internal mold release properties of the invention will generally have densities of from 10 to 30 without glass and from 15 to 40 with glass. More preferably, the densities of the SRIM articles of the invention all have densities from 20 to 35. They are further characterized by warpage of no more than approximately 0.25 percent to 0.75 percent and a dimensional stability of no more than 0.10 at 38° C. and 100% RH. Dimensional stability at 24 hours and 70° C. is no less than 0.01 percent. Tensile strength of the molded SRIM articles ranges from 2000 psi to 4000 psi. The flexule strength is from 3000 psi to 7000 psi and the flexule modules is from 100 Kpsi to 200 Kpsi. The molded articles show no cracking and an impact resistance of 0.9 J at 23° C.

The following working examples indicate the manner and process of making and using the invention and set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventors of carrying out the invention, but are not to be construed as limiting.

The following ingredients were employed to illustrate the various compositions of the invention:

Polyol A is a propylene oxide adduct of glycerine having an OH number of 230.

Polyol B is a propylene oxide adduct of sucrose/diethylene glycol having an OH number of 490.

Polyol C is a propylene oxide adduct of vicinal toluenediamine having an OH number of 390.

Polyol D is a polyester polyol having an OH number of 65.

DABCO® TMR3 is isocyanate catalyst commercially available from Air Products Corporation.

DABCO® X-8154 is a formic acid blocked amine catalyst commercially available from Air Products Corporation.

POLYCAT® 46 is a potassium acetate trimerization catalyst commercially available from Air Products.

DABCO® BL-17 is a formic acid blocked amine catalyst commercially available from Air Products Corporation.

DABCO® 33LV is an amine catalyst commercially available from Air Products Corporation.

PLASTOLEIN® 9214 is a plasticizer commercially available from Henkel Corporation.

Dow Corning® Fluid 1248 is a silicon-containing polymer commercially available from Dow Corning.

FOMREZ®⁸ UL-32 is a dioctyltin dimercaptide catalyst commercially available from Witco Corporation.

L-550 is a cell stabilizing surfactant commercially available from Union Carbide.

Isocyanate A is a polymeric-MDI having about 45-47 weight percent, 2-ring MDI; 19 weight percent 3-ring MDI; and 30-33 weight percent n-ring MDI oligomers where n>3. The isocyanate has an NCO content of 31.6 weight percent.

EXAMPLE 1

The following example illustrates the unexpected results achieved with the internal mold release composition of the invention.

A first polyol component A¹ had a formulation as indicated below:

    ______________________________________                                         POLYOL COMPOSITION A.sup.1                                                     ______________________________________                                         POLYOL A           37.65                                                       POLYOL B           20.08                                                       GLYCERIN           7.03                                                        X-8154             0.70                                                        POLYCAT-46         0.40                                                        DABCO BL-17        0.50                                                        DABCO 33-LV        0.30                                                        FOAMREZ UL-32      0.03                                                        PLASTOLEIN 9214    29.33                                                       ______________________________________                                    

Polyol composition A¹ was combined with isocyanate A. The handmixed reactivity of 150 grams of the resulting polyurethane composition in a 32 ounce Lily cup was as follows:

Cream time (CT)=15 seconds

Top of Cup (TT)=30 seconds

Gel Time (GT)=30 seconds

Rise Time (RT)=60 seconds

Free Rise Density (FRD)=5.24 pcf

For each SRIM part, a fiberglass mat weighing between 200 to 300 grams was used, with the average mat weighing approximately 222 grams. The fiberglass used was 1 ounce NICO 754.

The parts were molded in an EMB PU SV. The mold used was a door mold and had a metal surface and internal heating coils. The temperature of the mold surface was approximately 150° F. For each part run, the mold, having an approximate part dimension of 2×3 feet, was charged with an amount of polyol composition A¹ sufficient to achieve the part weight given below. The intention was to mold as many parts as possible until the quality of release was deemed unacceptable; i.e. failed to lift out easily and rapidly. Note that the part number corresponds to the run number.

    __________________________________________________________________________     PART        Polyol A.sup.1                                                                       ISO A POLYOL A.sup.1                                                                        ISO A  PART WT*                                                                              DEMOLD                            #   RATIO A.sup.1 /A                                                                       Press (PSI)                                                                          Press (PSI)                                                                          TEMP (°F.)                                                                     TEMP (°F.)                                                                     (g)    (SEC.)                            __________________________________________________________________________     1   100/85.7                                                                               2441  2275  78     81     583/630                                                                               1205                              2   100/84.9                                                                               2470  2275  78     81     586/624                                                                               905                               3   100/71.4                                                                               2541  2292  78     80     645/630                                                                               905                               __________________________________________________________________________      *The first value is the actual part weight, and the second value is the        theoretical part weight, as determined by the molding machine.           

Because the parts were sticking to the mold, the mold was cleaned before another molding was attempted.

    __________________________________________________________________________     PART        Polyol A.sup.1                                                                       ISO A POLYOL A.sup.1                                                                        ISO A  PART WT*                                                                              DEMOLD                            #   RATIO A.sup.1 /A                                                                       Press (PSI)                                                                          Press (PSI)                                                                          TEMP (°F.)                                                                     TEMP (°F.)                                                                     (g)    (SEC.)                            __________________________________________________________________________     4   100/81.3                                                                               2493  2278  80     79     599/?  905                               __________________________________________________________________________

Part #4 stuck extremely badly to the mold surface. As a result, the mold was cleaned. Polyol composition A¹ was drained from the mold and replaced with polyol composition B¹. Polyol composition B¹ was identical to polyol composition A¹ except that it further contained 4 pbw Dow Corning Fluid 1248, based on the weight of composition A¹. Polyol composition B¹ was combined with isocyanate A. The hand-mixed free rise reactivity of the resulting polyurethane composition was as follows:

Cream time (CT)=16 seconds

Top of Cup (TT)=38 seconds

Gel Time (GT)=40 seconds

Rise Time (RT)=60 seconds

Free Rise Density (FRD)=5.24 pcf

Attempts to mold SRIM parts produced the following results.

    __________________________________________________________________________     PART                                                                               PART WT.                                                                             RATIO                                                                               PRESSURE                                                                              PRESSURE                                                                              TEMP TEMP                                                                               DEMOLD                                   #   (g)   B.sup.1 /A                                                                          B.sup.1 (psi)                                                                         A (psi)                                                                               B.sup.1 (°F.)                                                                A (°F.)                                                                     (sec)                                    __________________________________________________________________________     1   749/810                                                                              100/82.2                                                                            1675   2008   79   80  90                                       2   743   100/83.5                                                                            1817   2000   80   79  90                                       __________________________________________________________________________

The mold was cleaned and an external mold release agent spray applied to the surface of the mold. Results of molding were as follows:

    __________________________________________________________________________     PART                                                                               PART WT.                                                                             RATIO                                                                               PRESSURE                                                                              PRESSURE                                                                              TEMP TEMP                                                                               DEMOLD                                   #   (g)   B.sup.1 /A                                                                          B.sup.1 (psi)                                                                         A (psi)                                                                               B.sup.1 (°F.)                                                                A (°F.)                                                                     (sec)                                    __________________________________________________________________________     3   748   100/82.6                                                                            1378   2013   79   80  90                                       4   742   100/83.7                                                                            2176   1982   79   80  90                                       __________________________________________________________________________

The mold was once again cleaned.

    __________________________________________________________________________     PART                                                                               PART WT.                                                                             RATIO                                                                               PRESSURE                                                                              PRESSURE                                                                              TEMP TEMP                                                                               DEMOLD                                   #   (g)   B.sup.1 /A                                                                          B.sup.1 (psi)                                                                         A (psi)                                                                               B.sup.1 (°F.)                                                                A (°F.)                                                                     (sec)                                    __________________________________________________________________________     5   747   100/83.2                                                                            1941   1964   80   83  180                                      6   743   100/83.6                                                                            1849   1982   79   82  180                                      __________________________________________________________________________

The polyurethane composition contained in the mold was drained and approximately 0.03 parts by weight of UL-32 were added to polyol composition B¹. The reactivity of the altered polyol composition B¹ was as follows:

Cream time (CT)=16 seconds

Top of Cup (TT)=33 seconds

Gel Time (GT)=35 seconds

Rise Time (RT)=50 seconds

Free Rise Density (FRD)=5.24 pcf

Attempts to mold SRIM parts were resumed with the following results:

    __________________________________________________________________________     PART                                                                               PART WT.                                                                             RATIO                                                                               PRESSURE                                                                              PRESSURE                                                                              TEMP TEMP                                                                               DEMOLD                                   #   (g)   B.sup.1 /A                                                                          B.sup.1 (psi)                                                                         A (psi)                                                                               B.sup.1 (°F.)                                                                A (°F.)                                                                     (sec)                                    __________________________________________________________________________     7   745   100/83.5                                                                            1741   1911   80   79  120                                      8   746   100/82.6                                                                            1842   1866   80   80  120                                      9   742   100/84.5                                                                            1798   1906   80   80  120                                      __________________________________________________________________________

The mold was cleaned by scrapping residual urethane particles from the mold surface. Spot wax (LH1 paste wax) was applied to those portions of the mold surface from which the urethane particles had been removed.

    ______________________________________                                         10   743     100/83.3  1863  1892  80   79   120                               11   743     100/84.1  1906  1883  80   80   120                               12   744     100/83.7  1819  1873  80   80   120                               13   736     100/86.4  1897  1888  79   80   120                               14   755     100/81.7  1861  1882  79   80   120                               15   748     100/83.2  1861  1878  79   79   120                               16   749     100/82.5  1943  1867  80   80   120                               17   756     100/81.2  2116  1848  79   80   90                                18   745     100/83.3  2123  1867  80   80   90                                19   747     100/83.4  2101  1899  80   80   90                                20   735     100/84.8  1750  1911  79   79   90                                21   744     100/83.7  1823  1927  80   80   90                                22   741     100/83.7  1765  1937  80   80   90                                ______________________________________                                    

The mold was cleaned as indicated above.

    ______________________________________                                         23   756     100/81.1  2057  2130  80   80   90                                24   741     100/84.2  2022  2164  80   80   90                                25   747     100/83.1  2130  2143  80   80   90                                26   748     100/82.8  2144  2169  80   80   90                                ______________________________________                                    

As evidenced by the foregoing results, the use of both components (a) and (b) of the IMR composition (B) of the invention produces unexpectedly superior results compared to the use of component (b) alone.

EXAMPLE 2

Polyol component A² had a formulation as set forth below:

    ______________________________________                                         POLYOL COMPOSITION A.sup.2                                                     ______________________________________                                         POLYOL A           37.65                                                       POLYOL B           20.08                                                       GLYCERIN           7.03                                                        X-8154             0.70                                                        POLYCAT-46         0.40                                                        DABCO BL-17        0.50                                                        DABCO 33-LV        0.30                                                        FOAMREZ UL-32      0.03                                                        PLASTOLEIN 9214    29.33                                                       ______________________________________                                    

ISOCYANATE INDEX--POLYOL A²

@100 INDEX=93.1 g ISO/100 g POLYOL A²

@90 INDEX=83.8 g ISO/100 g POLYOL A²

ISOCYANATE INDEX--POLYOL B²

@100 INDEX=90.9 g ISO/100 g POLYOL B²

@90 INDEX=81.8 g ISO/100 g POLYOL B²

A second polyol composition was used, composition B², which was identical to polyol composition A² except that 3 percent Dow Corning® fluid 1248 based on the weight of composition A², was added.

The reactivities of polyol compositions A² and B² were determined on an EMB Puromat PU SV. The polyol compositions were combined with Isocyanate A. The reactivity of the polyurethane composition utilizing polyol composition A² was as follows:

Cream time (CT)=17 seconds

Top of Cup (TT)=30 seconds

Gel Time (GT)=37 seconds

Rise Time (RT)=47 seconds

Free Rise Density (FRD)=5.7 pcf

The reactivity of the polyurethane composition using polyol composition B² was as follows:

Cream time (CT)=15 seconds

Top of Cup (TT)=31 seconds

Gel Time (GT)=34 seconds

Rise Time (RT)=48 seconds

Free Rise Density (FRD)=5.83 pcf

The mold used was a door mold and had a metal surface and internal heating coils. The temperature of the mold surface was 150° F. Initially, the mold, having an approximate part dimension of 2×3 ft. was charged with an amount of polyol composition A² sufficient to achieve the part weight given below. 200-300 grams of a fiberglass mat, (NICO 754) was used for each part.

The intention was to mold as many parts as possible until the quality of release was deemed unacceptable; i.e., failed to lift out easily and rapidly. Note that part numbers correspond to the run number.

    __________________________________________________________________________     Part                                                                              Part                                                                               Ratio                                                                               Polyol A.sup.2                                                                       Iso A Polyol A.sup.2                                                                       Iso A Demold                                     No.                                                                               Wt. (g)                                                                            A.sup.2 /A                                                                          Press. (psi)                                                                         Press. (psi)                                                                         Temp. °F.                                                                     Temp. °F.                                                                     (sec.)                                     __________________________________________________________________________     1  749 100/80.07                                                                           1959  2190  80    80    90                                         2  741 100/81.09                                                                           2018  2187  80    80    90                                         __________________________________________________________________________

As the results show, after the molding of two parts, it was determined that composition A², at the above indexes, was unable to achieve the desired goals. The index of the polyurethane composition using polyol composition A² was altered as indicated below. However, only two parts were able to be molded according to the following data.

    __________________________________________________________________________     Part                                                                              Part                                                                               Ratio    Polyol A.sup.2                                                                       Iso A Polyol A.sup.2                                                                       Iso A Demold                                 No.                                                                               Wt. (g)                                                                            Polyol A.sup.2 /Iso A                                                                   Press. (psi)                                                                         Press. (psi)                                                                         Temp. °F.                                                                     Temp.°F.                                                                      (sec.)                                 __________________________________________________________________________     1  744 100/83.8 1970  2207  79    80    90                                     2  737 100/85.1 1965  2203  80    80    90                                     __________________________________________________________________________

As a result of the parts sticking in a couple of small areas, polyol composition A² was drained and polyol composition B² added. The material was recirculated for approximately half-an-hour. The mold was touched-up and semi-prepped. As indicated below, more than 20+ parts according to the following parameters were capable of easy release and removal from the mold.

    __________________________________________________________________________     Part                                                                              Part                                                                               Ratio    Polyol B.sup.2                                                                       Iso A Polyol B.sup.2                                                                       Iso A Demold                                 No.                                                                               Wt. (g)                                                                            Polyol B.sup.2 /Iso A                                                                   Press. (psi)                                                                         Press. (psi)                                                                         Temp. °F.                                                                     Temp.°F.                                                                      (sec.)                                 __________________________________________________________________________     1  746 100/81.7 2075  2086  82    84    90                                     2  747 100/81.4 2119  2136  79    83    90                                     3  738 100/83.2 2074  2154  79    82    90                                     4  752 100/80.6 2078  2173  79    82    90                                     5  750 100/80.7 2065  2126  78    81    90                                     6  741 100/82.6 2041  2119  78    81    90                                     7  745 100/81.9 2124  2124  80    80    90                                     8  742 100/83   2015  2202  74    80    90                                     9  749 100/81   2036  2196  80    80    90                                     10 744 100/81.9 1952  2133  80    79    90                                     11 744 100/81.9 1991  2144  81    79    90                                     12 750 100/80.8 2009  2138  81    79    90                                     13 745 100/81.7 2026  2139  80    79    90                                     14 753 100/80.1 1996  2143  79    79    90                                     15 741 100/82.7 1998  2154  79    79    90                                     16 747 100/81.5 1992  2157  79    79    90                                     17 749 100/81.2 2008  2128  79    80    90                                     18 749 100/81.4 2049  2126  79    80    90                                     19 741 100/82.8 2020  2123  80    80    90                                     20 745 100/81.8 2018  2118  80    79    90                                     __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 3

Polyol composition B² was run in a plant setting to determine its performance under actual operating conditions. The composition was as set forth above. The door panel mold used was a Puromat PU-SV. The mold was prepped with an external mold release agent, (Chem-Trend LH1). As indicated below, more than 41+ parts were able to be molded without the addition of external mold release, each SRIM article being easily released and removed from the mold. 200-300 grams of 1 ounce NICO 754 fiber glass mat was used for each part. The results were as follows:

    __________________________________________________________________________                 Resin                                                                              Iso Resin                                                                              Iso      Demold                                                                              Mold                                         Shot                                                                               Shot                                                                               Press.                                                                             Press.                                                                             Temp.                                                                              Temp.    Time Temp.                                    Part #                                                                             Wt. (g)                                                                            Time                                                                               (psi)                                                                              (psi)                                                                              (#F)                                                                               (#F)                                                                               Ratio                                                                               (sec.)                                                                              (#F)                                     __________________________________________________________________________      1*                                                                             2  786 --  2040                                                                               2108                                                                               79  81  100/82.3                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                                3  788 --  2115                                                                               2131                                                                               78  79  100/81.9                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                                4  784 --  2146                                                                               2140                                                                               79  79  100/82.2                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                                5  806 4 sec.                                                                             2183                                                                               2158                                                                               80  78  100/80.4                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                                6  798 4 sec.                                                                             2149                                                                               2166                                                                               80  78  100/81.6                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                                7  801 4 sec.                                                                             2167                                                                               2171                                                                               79  79  100/81.2                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                                8  788 4 sec.                                                                             2203                                                                               2182                                                                               79  79  100/81.9                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                                9  786 4 sec.                                                                             1994                                                                               2196                                                                               80  79  100/82.2                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               10  797 4 sec.                                                                             2016                                                                               2230                                                                               80  80  100/81.9                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               11  788 4 sec.                                                                             2006                                                                               2264                                                                               79  80  100/81.8                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               12  798 4 sec.                                                                             1976                                                                               2054                                                                               79  80  100/81.5                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               13  799 4 sec.                                                                             1999                                                                               2078                                                                               80  80  100/81.6                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               14  804 4 sec.                                                                             1976                                                                               1951                                                                               80  80  100/81.1                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               15  795 4 sec.                                                                             1987                                                                               1953                                                                               79  80  100/82.4                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               16  799 4 sec.                                                                             2006                                                                               1953                                                                               79  80  100/81.2                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               17  788 4 sec.                                                                             1992                                                                               1966                                                                               80  80  100/81.9                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               18  801 4 sec.                                                                             1994                                                                               1955                                                                               79  79  100/81.6                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               19  803 4 sec.                                                                             1995                                                                               1938                                                                               79  79  100/80.7                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               20  791 4 sec.                                                                             2005                                                                               1944                                                                               80  80  100/80.9                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               21  792 4 sec.                                                                             2000                                                                               1962                                                                               80  80  100/82.6                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               22  801 4 sec.                                                                             1999                                                                               1938                                                                               80  80  100/80.7                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               23  800 4 sec.                                                                             1983                                                                               1944                                                                               80  80  100/80.7                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               24  799 4 sec.                                                                             1956                                                                               1940                                                                               80  80  100/81.3                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               25  804 4 sec.                                                                             1969                                                                               1947                                                                               80  80  100/80.9                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               26  804 4 sec.                                                                             2005                                                                               1961                                                                               80  80  100/80.4                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               27  786 4 sec.                                                                             2001                                                                               1940                                                                               80  80  100/82.4                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               28  784 4 sec.                                                                             1977                                                                               1952                                                                               79  80  100/82.5                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               29  803 4 sec.                                                                             1977                                                                               1957                                                                               79  80  100/80.7                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               30  795 4 sec.                                                                             1997                                                                               1932                                                                               80  80  100/81.9                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               31  796 4 sec.                                                                             2030                                                                               2062                                                                               79  80  100/81.8                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               32  799 4 sec.                                                                             2046                                                                               2086                                                                               78  80  100/81.3                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               33  797 4 sec.                                                                             2060                                                                               2085                                                                               79  80  100/81.7                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               34  793 4 sec.                                                                             2046                                                                               2107                                                                               80  79  100/80.7                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               35  802 4 sec.                                                                             2014                                                                               2097                                                                               80  78  100/80.9                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               36  801 4 sec.                                                                             2018                                                                               2108                                                                               79  79  100/80.8                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               37  791 4 sec.                                                                             2030                                                                               2098                                                                               79  79  100/81.4                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               38  798 4 sec.                                                                             2012                                                                               2102                                                                               79  79  100/81.1                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               39  799 4 sec.                                                                             2020                                                                               2104                                                                               80  79  100/81.5                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               40  796 4 sec.                                                                             2027                                                                               2096                                                                               80  79  100/80.2                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                                41+                                                                               799 4 sec.                                                                             2027                                                                               2113                                                                               80  80  100/82.0                                                                            90 sec.                                                                             150 ± 5                               __________________________________________________________________________      *Data for Part #1 was not recorded.                                      

Thus, as a result of the use of the compositions of the invention, the need to spray additional IMR agents was substantially reduced.

The average performance properties of the resulting finished parts were as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         PHYSICAL PROPERTIES VALUE                                                      ______________________________________                                         Density (with glass)                                                                               33.7 pcf                                                   Foam Density        26.0 pcf                                                   Warpage             .12                                                        Dimensional Stability                                                                              .05%                                                       38° C. and 100% RH                                                      Dimensional Stability                                                                              .05%                                                       24 hrs. and 70° C.                                                      Tensile Strength    2730 psi                                                   Flexural Strength   5180 psi                                                   Flexural Modulus    162,700 psi                                                Impact Resistance 0.9 J and 23° C.                                                          No Cracking                                                Flammability        Self Extinguishing                                                             No Burn Rate                                               Odor                No objectionable Odor                                      Fiber Glass, Wt.    1 oz/ft.sup.2                                              ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 4

A preferred embodiment according to the invention is as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Polyol Composition D                                                           Components        PBW                                                          ______________________________________                                         POLYOL C          54.01                                                        PLASTOLEIN 9214   26.00                                                        GLYCERINE         5.00                                                         DC-1248           3.20                                                         POLYOL D          2.00                                                         BL-17             0.56                                                         X-8154            0.85                                                         33-LV             0.45                                                         UL-32             0.09                                                         WATER             2.50                                                         L-550             5.00                                                         ______________________________________                                    

Polyol composition D was mixed with Isocyanate A. The temperature of the components was approximately 77° F. The theoretical mix ratio was Resin 100(g) and Iso 101(g). The actual mix ratio was a 90 index. The handmixed reactivity profile of the polyurethane composition was as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Mix Time (sec.)   10                                                           Cream Time (sec.) 18                                                           Top of Cup (sec.) 32                                                           String Gel (sec.) 38                                                           End of Rise (sec.)                                                                               56                                                           Tack Free (sec.)  56                                                           Density (pcf)     3.3                                                          % Water           2.5                                                          ______________________________________                                    

There was a cup factor of 0.0596 for the above reactivity data.

EXAMPLE 5

Polyurethane composition D of Example 4 was trialed in a plant setting. SRIM door parts were produced on a PUROMAT SV with EMB 76 mm stroke. The press was a Dake set at 2,000 psi-60 tons. The temperature of the components was 85° F.±5° F. The mix pressure was 1500-2200 psi while the mold temperature was 140° F. to 160° F.

The machine reactivity was as follows:

Ratio Polyol/Iso=100/96 (g) Free Rise Density=4.0 pcf Cream@85° F.=11 seconds Gel@85° F.=28 seconds Final Rise@85° F.=41 seconds.

Mold Pressures were 35 psi@38 pcf. Demold times of less than 90 seconds were achieved.

When used on tools having new molding surfaces, multiple releases of 50 or more were possible without the application of additional EMR. Even with molding tools having less than optimum surface characteristics, multiple releases of 25+ were achieved before additional EMR was required. On average, the resultant SRIM parts had performance properties as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Performance Properties                                                         ______________________________________                                         Thickness        0.122"                                                        Specific Gravity 0.600                                                         Flex. Mod.       150,000 psi                                                   Flex. Strength   5550 psi                                                      Tensile Strength 3110 psi                                                      Warpage          0.54%                                                         Dimensional Stability                                                                           0.05% (38° C. @ 100% RH)                               Impact Resistance                                                                               No Cracking                                                   Flammability     Self Extinguishing                                            Odor             No Objectionable Odor                                         ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 6

A composite article was made using the SRIM article produced in Example 3. A vinyl cover stock material, commercially available from O'Sullivan Corporation, was laid in a door panel mold. An SRIM substrate was subsequently laid in the mold. A commercially available external mold release was applied to the back of the SRIM part. The mold was closed. A flexible polyurethane foam, commercially available from BASF Corporation as Elastoflex R2121U was injected between the SRIM substrate and the vinyl cover stock. The temperature of the mold was between 90°-130° F. The clamp tonnage was approximately 30 tons. The part was demolded after about 50-100 sec. Adhesion of the flexible foam to the vinyl was 1.49 lb./in. (width) while adhesion of the flexible foam to the SRIM article was 2.55 lb./in. 

We claim:
 1. A polyurethane composition for the preparation of molded polyurethane articles having internal mold release properties, the composition comprising:I.) an isocyanate component; and II.) an isocyanate reactive polyol component, comprising:A.) at least one polyoxyalkylene polyether polyol having as an initiator an aromatic diamine with vicinal amino groups as an initiator; and B.) an effective amount of an internal mold release composition, consisting of:a.) from 1 to 50 pbw of a secondary hydroxyl functional polydimethylsiloxane, based on the weight of the internal mold release composition; and, b.) from 50 to 99 pbw of an epoxidized 2-ethylhexyl tallate ester, based on the weight of the internal mold release composition; wherein the isocyanate reactive polyol component (II) is substantially free of separation behavior with respect to the internal mold release composition (B).
 2. The polyurethane composition of claim 1 wherein the epoxidized ester comprises an epoxidized ester having:a minimum weight % total epoxide of 4.4; a maximum acid # (mg KOH/g) of 1.0; and a maximum total unsaturation (weight % iodine) of 4.0.
 3. The polyurethane composition of claim 2 wherein the epoxidized ester comprises an epoxidized ester having:a weight % total epoxide between 4.9 and 5.1; an acid # between 0.50 and 0.60; and a total unsaturation (weight % iodine) between 1.0 and 2.5.
 4. The polyurethane composition of claim 3 wherein the epoxidized ester is 2-ethylhexyl epoxy tallate having:a weight % total epoxide of about 5.0; an acid # of about 0.55; and a total unsaturation (weight % iodine) of about 1.9.
 5. The polyurethane composition of claim 1 wherein an effective amount of the internal mold release composition is from 10 to 60 pbw, based on the total weight of isocyanate reactive polyol component (II).
 6. The polyurethane composition of claim 1 comprising:from 1 to 15 pbw of the silicon-containing polymer; and from 85 to 99 pbw of the epoxidized ester.
 7. The polyurethane composition of claim 1 wherein the at least one polyol is oxypropylated.
 8. The polyurethane composition of claim 1 further comprising a cross-linking agent.
 9. The polyurethane composition of claim 8 wherein the cross-linking agent is a polyol having a molecular weight of less than
 400. 10. The polyurethane composition of claim 9 wherein the cross-linking agent is glycerine.
 11. The polyurethane composition of claim 1 further comprising an additive selected from the group consisting of catalysts, blowing agents, surfactants and mixtures thereof.
 12. The polyurethane composition of claim 11 wherein the additive is a blowing agent and the blowing agent is water.
 13. The polyurethane composition of claim 11 wherein the additive is a catalyst selected from the group consisting of amine catalysts, metal-containing catalysts and mixtures thereof.
 14. The polyurethane composition of claim 1 wherein the isocyanate component is comprised of a polymeric MDI. 